He says he is afraid of his own impulses, leading him to say
what would not be an honourable requital for all your kindness to
him."
"He is very good. I think he is right-—quite right," said Mrs.
Evelyn. "I am afraid I must say so. For anything to begin afresh
between them might lead to suspense that my child's constitution
might not stand, and I am very grateful to him for sparing her."
"Afresh? Do you think there ever was anything?"
"Never anything avowed, but a good deal of sympathy. Indeed, so far
as I can guess, my foolish girl was first much offended and
disquieted with Jock for not listening to her persuasions, and then
equally so with herself for having made them, and now I confess I
think shame and confusion are predominant with her when she hears of
him."
"So that she is relieved at his absence."
"Just so, and it is better so to leave it; I should be only too happy
to keep her with me waiting for him, only I had rather she did not
know it."
"My dear friend!" And again Caroline thought of Magnum Bonum. All
the evening she said to herself that Sydney showed no objection to
medical students, when she was looking over the Engelberg photographs
with John, who had been far more her companion in the mountain
rambles they recalled than had Jock in his half-recovered state.
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